RSF says open to talks with Sudanese army in Switzerland on humanitarian aid

February 12, 2024 (KHARTOUM) – An advisor to Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) confirmed, on Monday, their openness to meeting with the Sudanese army in Switzerland to discuss facilitating humanitarian aid delivery.

Ibrahim Mukhayer, a member of the RSF Advisory Bureau, told Sudan Tribune that they received an invitation from the UN Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Martin Griffiths, for talks with the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF).

On February 7, the UN appealed for $4.1 billion to address Sudan’s dire humanitarian needs. During this event, Griffiths announced the warring parties’ agreement to meet in Switzerland to discuss aid delivery.

Hemetti’s adviser emphasized the RSF’s commitment to alleviating suffering, highlighting their Commander Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo’s willingness to cooperate on aid delivery and establish joint committees for humanitarian efforts.

He also underscored the RSF’s status as part of the Sudanese army under the 2019 amended law.

Last week, the Sudanese government dismissed any talks outside the Saudi-US-mediated Jeddah platform. Meanwhile, army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan refused aid to RSF-controlled areas.

Mukhayer reiterated the RSF’s positive response to peace initiatives and urged increased pressure on “war supporters like Burhan and extremists”.

He emphasized the RSF’s desire for peace and alleviating suffering. He criticized the army’s rejection of a proposed humanitarian platform at the Jeddah forum, which could have facilitated coordinated aid delivery.

(ST)